The Northern Cardinal is a special bird that many people in North America love to watch. It is easy to spot because of its bright colors and lovely songs. Let’s learn more about this amazing bird!
The Northern Cardinal is famous for its bright red feathers and black mask around its face. But did you know that only the male cardinals are bright red? The female cardinals have brownish-red feathers with a little bit of red on their wings and tails. They also have cheerful orange beaks!
Cardinals like to eat seeds, grains, and fruits. Sometimes, they also munch on insects, berries, and corn. If you want to see cardinals in your yard, try putting out sunflower seeds, cracked corn, or apples. They like to hop around on the ground to find their food, so make sure to spread it out on a flat surface.
Unlike some other birds, Northern Cardinals don’t fly away to warmer places during the winter. This means you can see them all year long if you live where they do!
The Northern Cardinal is so loved that it is the official state bird of seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. That’s more than any other bird in the United States!
The Northern Cardinal is not just a pretty bird; it’s an important part of nature in North America. With its bright colors and happy songs, it’s no surprise that people enjoy watching and feeding cardinals in their yards. Have fun birdwatching!
Colorful Cardinal Craft: Create your own Northern Cardinal using craft materials! Gather red and brown construction paper, scissors, glue, and markers. Cut out shapes to form the body, wings, and tail of the cardinal. Use the red paper for the male cardinal and the brown paper for the female. Don’t forget to add a black mask and an orange beak! Display your cardinal at home and share what you’ve learned about their colors with your family.
Backyard Birdwatching: Set up a small bird feeder in your yard or near a window. Fill it with sunflower seeds or cracked corn and observe the birds that come to visit. Keep a journal to note how many cardinals you see and what they do. Do they hop around like the article mentioned? Try to spot the differences between male and female cardinals. Share your observations with your classmates or family.
State Bird Exploration: The Northern Cardinal is the state bird of seven states. Choose one of these states and find out more about it. What is the state known for? Are there any special parks or places where you might see cardinals? Draw a picture of the state and include a cardinal in your drawing. Present your findings to the class and explain why you think the cardinal is a good choice for that state.
